2026-02-05 Regular MeetingKODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
Assembly Regular Meeting
February 5, 2026
A regular meeting of the Kodiak Island Borough Assembly was held on February 5, 2026, in the
Assembly Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 6:30 p.m. Staff present were Borough
Manager Aimee Williams, Community Development Director Christopher French, Borough
Clerk Nova M. Javier, and Deputy Clerk Irene Arellano.
INVOCATION
Captain Diane Shatto of the Salvation Army gave the invocation.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Mayor Griffin led the pledge of allegiance.
3. STATEMENT OF LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are gathered on the traditional homeland of the Sugpiaq/Alutiiq people, and we
acknowledge the 10 tribes of the Kodiak Alutiiq Region. We recognize the Alutiiq culture
that enriches our community to this day.
4. ROLL CALL
Present were Mayor Jared Griffin, Assembly Members Steve Ames, Jeremiah Gardner,
Dave Johnson, Caroline Roberts, Scott Smiley, Bo Whiteside, and Jeffery Woods.
5. APPROVAL OF AGENDA AND CONSENT AGENDA
WHITESIDE moved to approve the agenda and consent agenda.
VOICE VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
6. *APPROVAL OF MINUTES (Approved under consent agenda)
A. Regular Meeting Minutes Of January 22, 2026
7. CITIZENS' COMMENTS
The following spoke under citizen's comments:
• Captain Diane Shatto of the Salvation Army
• Brenda Schwantes
• Thomas Schwantes
• Patrick O'Donnell
• Brian Himelbloom
8. AWARDS AND PRESENTATIONS — None.
9. COMMITTEE REPORTS — None.
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February 5, 2026 Page 1 of 6
10. PUBLIC HEARING
A. Ordinance No. FY2026-15, Amending Various Sections Of Kodiak Island
Borough Code Title 17 Zoning, Related To Short -Term Rental Definitions,
Zoning, And Permitting Requirements
WHITESIDE moved to adopt Ordinance No. FY2026-15.
Brenda Schwantes spoke under public hearing.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Ames,
Gardner, Johnson, Roberts, Smiley, Whiteside, and Woods.
B. Ordinance No. FY2026-17, Amending Various Sections In Title 2 Administration
And Personnel, Title 4 Service Areas, And Title 7 Elections To Prohibit Holding
Multiple Elected Offices
WHITESIDE moved to adopt Ordinance No. FY2026-17.
The following spoke under public comments:
• Scott Arndt
• Jason Bunch
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION TO POSTPONE INDEFINITELY FAILED
FIVE TO TWO: Gardner, Roberts, Smiley, Woods, and Ames (NOES); Johnson
and Whiteside (AYES).
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION TO POSTPONE TO AUGUST 20,
REGULAR MEETING CARRIED FOUR TO THREE: Johnson, Roberts,
Whiteside, and Woods (AYES); Ames, Gardner, and Smiley (NOES).
C. Ordinance No. FY2026-18, Amending Title 8 Health And Safety Chapter 8.25
Solid Waste Collection And Disposal
WHITESIDE moved to adopt Ordinance No. FY2026-18 (Version 2).
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Roberts,
Smiley, Whiteside, Woods, Ames, Gardner, and Johnson.
11. BOROUGH MANAGER'S REPORT
Borough Manager Aimee Williams provided a manager's report, and it was included in
the meeting packet.
12. MESSAGES FROM THE BOROUGH MAYOR
Mayor Griffin shared his recent travel for Kodiak High School Shakesbears Drama,
Debate, and Forensics Tournament, noting strong performance. Regarding Borough
Business, he mentioned he is scheduling follow-up Kodiak meetings with Kodiak
Economic Development Corporation (KEDC) and Discover Kodiak, and preparing a
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February 5, 2026
Assembly Regular Meeting Minutes
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resolution or letter in support of the Kodiak Regional Aquaculture Association and
recertification of the Prince William Sound Regional Citizen's Advisory Council. He
announced the first Borough Lands Committee meeting of the year will be scheduled
soon, with focus on previously approved parcels and a measured approach to land
releases. On school funding, he noted the ongoing budget discussions and challenges
including declining enrollment, the phase-out of hold harmless funding, increased
expenses of special education, and intensive service needs. He emphasized the
importance of balancing taxpayer impacts, Borough capacity, and long-term health of
public education needs through a data -driven approach.
13. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - UNFINISHED BUSINESS
14. CONSIDERATION OF CALENDAR - NEW BUSINESS
14.A. CONTRACTS — None.
14.13. RESOLUTIONS
Resolution No. FY2023-03F, A Resolution Of The Assembly Of The Kodiak
Island Borough Amending Various Sections Of The Kodiak Island Borough
Records Retention Schedule And Central Filing System To Reflect Amendments
To The Assessing, Borough Fire Departments, Community Development,
Engineering And Facilities, Finance, Information Technology, And Resource
Management Series
WHITESIDE moved to adopt Resolution No. FY2023-03F.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Smiley,
Whiteside, Woods, Ames, Gardner, Johnson, and Roberts.
14.C. ORDINANCES FOR INTRODUCTION — None.
14.D. OTHER ITEMS
Authorization For The Borough Manager To Reimburse Providence Kodiak
Island Medical Center For The Chiller 95% Design In The Amount Of $67,120.12
WHITESIDE moved to authorize the Borough Manager to reimburse Providence
Kodiak Island Medical Center for the Chiller 95% Design in the amount of
$67,120.12.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Whiteside,
Woods, Ames, Gardner, Johnson, Roberts, and Smiley.
2. Authorization For The Borough Manager To Reimburse Providence Kodiak
Island Medical Center For The Chiller 100% Design And Construction
Documents In The Amount Of $25,305
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WHITESIDE moved to authorize the Borough Manager to reimburse Providence
Kodiak Island Medical Center for the Chiller 100% Design and Construction
Documents in the amount of $25,305.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Woods,
Ames, Gardner, Johnson, Roberts, Smiley, and Whiteside.
3. Assembly Review Of The State Of Alaska Alcohol And Marijuana Control Office,
Beverage Dispensary License Renewal Application For Bernie's Bar, LLC Doing
Business As Bernie's Bar (License #4346)
WHITESIDE moved to voice non -protest to the State Of Alaska Alcohol And
Marijuana Control Office (AMCO) Beverage Dispensary renewal application for
Bernie's Bar, LLC, DBA Bernie's Bar, located at 320 Center Street and direct the
Clerk to notify AMCO of this decision.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Ames,
Gardner, Johnson, Roberts, Smiley, Whiteside, and Woods.
4. Confirmation Of Mayoral Appointment To The Planning And Zoning Commission
City Seat Of Mr. Joseph Delgado
WHITESIDE moved to confirm the Mayoral appointment of Mr. Joseph Delgado
to the Planning and Zoning Commission City Seat for a term to expire December
31, 2028.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Gardner,
Johnson, Roberts, Smiley, Whiteside, Woods, and Ames.
5. Confirmation Of Mayoral Appointments Of City And Borough Representatives
From The Planning And Zoning Commission To The Borough Lands Committee
(Ms. Tracy Craig and Ms. Sara Fraser)
WHITESIDE moved to confirm the Mayoral appointments of Commissioner
Tracy Craig as the Planning and Zoning Commission City representative and
Commissioner Sara Fraser as the Borough representative to the Borough Lands
Committee.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Johnson,
Roberts, Smiley, Whiteside, Woods, Ames, and Gardner.
6. Confirmation Of The Mayoral Appointment To The Solid Waste Advisory Board
Of Ms. Joy Erlenbach
WHITESIDE moved to confirm the mayoral appointment to the Solid Waste
Advisory Board of Ms. Joy Erlenbach to an At -Large seat for a term to expire on
December 31, 2026.
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ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Roberts,
Smiley, Whiteside, Woods, Ames, Gardner, and Johnson.
15. CITIZENS' COMMENTS
Brian Himelbloom spoke under citizen's comments.
16. ASSEMBLY MEMBERS' COMMENTS
• Assembly Member Gardner expressed his gratitude to Borough Manager Aimee
Williams, Borough Clerk Nova M. Javier, and Deputy Clerk Irene Arellano for
their hard work.
• Assembly Member Roberts encouraged the community members to be involved
and attend the upcoming Kodiak Island Borough School Board meeting on
Monday, February 9, 2026, at 6 pm, in the KIBSD Central Office Conference
Room F140.
• Assembly Member Woods expressed his appreciation to staff for their hard work
and noting he values their feedback, particularly from those who review data
regularly. He also thanked members of the public for providing well -organized
and thoughtful comments during the meeting.
• The rest of the Assembly members had no comments.
17. EXECUTIVE SESSION
Discussion Of Pending Litigation With Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA),
Case No. 3KO-21-00057C1
WHITESIDE moved to convene into executive session to discuss pending
litigation with Kodiak Area Native Association (KANA) under the authority of
KIBC. 2.30.030 (F)(1)(b) Any matter the immediate public knowledge of which
would tend to affect adversely the finances of the Borough.
Assembly Member Roberts declared a conflict of interest as she is currently
employed by Kodiak Area Native Association, stating she would abstain from
voting on the item, and requested the Mayor's ruling on the matter.
Mayor Griffin ruled that Assembly Member Roberts had a perceived conflict of
interest and was excused from participation.
ROLL CALL VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY: Smiley,
Whiteside, Woods, Ames, Gardner, and Johnson.
WHITESIDE moved to invite the Mayor, Assembly, Manager, and Clerk's Office
Staff into executive session.
VOICE VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
After the vote, Mayor Griffin recessed the regular meeting and convened the
executive session at 8:03 p.m.
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February 5, 2026
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Upon returning from the executive session, Mayor Griffin reconvened the regular
meeting at 8:21 p.m. and announced that direction was given to the Borough
Manager on how to proceed with litigation.
18. ADJOURNMENT
WHITESIDE moved to adjourn the meeting at 8:22 p.m.
VOICE VOTE ON THE MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
KODIAK ISLAND BOROUGH
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Kodiak Island Borough
February 5, 2026
ATTEST:
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Nova M. Javier, MMC, Bor0gh Clerk
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